generator installation process
Stress-Free Generator Installation in 5 Simple Steps
step 1: QUOTE & Approvals
At Houston Equipment Repair, we believe in providing clear, straightforward information—without the high-pressure sales tactics or gimmicks. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision that fits your needs and budget, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience from start to finish.
Complete our Free Generator Quote Form and upload a few photos of your home’s electrical panel, gas meter, and desired generator location. We’ll review your setup, usage, and preferences to recommend the best standby generator solution—no sales pressure, no hidden fees.
Once you've had a chance to review your quote, feel free to give us a call or stop by our generator showroom. We're happy to walk you through the installation process, answer technical questions, discuss generator sizes, enhancements, warranties, or even explore alternate placement options if needed.
If your neighborhood has an HOA, you'll need to submit an application for approval. We include the Generator Spec Sheet and Installation Site Plan with your quote - these documents are typically required for your HOA application. Let us know if you have any questions with your application.
To officially schedule your installation, we require a paid deposit and signed quote. Click the link in your quote email to Approve & Pay Deposit. Once submitted, we'll follow up within a couple of days with your installation date and next steps.
step 2: scheduling
We have generators in stock and aim to schedule and complete your installation as quickly as possible. All installation related appointments will be sent through our booking system.
If permits are needed for your installation, we’ll submit the applications promptly. However, installation scheduling depends on city approval and cannot schedule your installation date until permits are granted.
Please see Step 3 for more information. We do not require anyone to be home for this appointment.
Standard installations typically take between 4-5 hours from our arrival time.
If “Extra Distance” charges are listed on your quote, please note that the installation may take longer due to the increased distance involved.
Due to the nature of the job, we will require someone 18 years or older to be present during the installation.
If you selected the Smart Start Service, we’ll return to complete the break-in service after your generator has reached 25 hours of run time.
- Standby Generators: No one needs to be home for this appointment.
- Portable Generators: Someone 18 or older must be present to provide access. If that’s not possible, you may leave the generator in the backyard or another accessible location so we can complete the service without the need for you to be home.
STEP 3: GENERATOR PAD INSTALLATION
Whenever possible, we prefer to install a custom concrete slab that is reinforced with rebar. In some cases a prefabricated generator pad is a better option. Please refer to your quote for our recommendation for your home.
Because concrete work is weather-dependent, we can only schedule your generator slab installation a few days in advance. We pour multiple slabs each day, so we’re unable to provide an exact arrival time.
Please note: You do not need to be home during the slab installation.
It's important to remember that changes to the generator location cannot be made at or during the slab pour. If you need to request a location change, please contact us as soon as possible.
Changes to the generator location cannot be made at or during the pad installation appointment. If you need to request a location change, please contact us as soon as possible. Additional fees may apply.
Please ensure we can access the area where the generator pad will be installed.
If you have pets in the back yard, please contain them during the pad installation. You will also need to keep pets from stepping on the pad until it has dried.
Step 4: preparing for installation
We take pride in making your standby generator installation smooth and stress-free. Our expert installation team arrives fully prepared, with all the materials needed to complete the job quickly and efficiently. Please read through the information below to understand what is needed from you.
Ensure the area around the electric panel, electric meter, gas meter, and generator installation site are clear for easy access during the installation.
Trim back shrubs around the gas and electric meters.
Turn off sprinklers a few days before the installation to ensure the ground is not muddy.
Complete our Generator Installation Details Form at least 1 week prior to your installation. See below items for more details.
If you were unsure about including any of the enhancement options when you signed your quote, we encourage you to take some time now to review their benefits. This will help us ensure that we have the necessary products in stock and ready for your installation. Visit our Generator Installation Enhancements page for more details.
Payment is due on the day of installation, and we offer several payment options for your convenience. Visit our Payment & Financing page for more details and to apply for financing through Synchrony Financial.
step 5: installation day
We strive to provide you with as much information upfront as possible, so you know exactly what to expect on generator installation day. Please take the time to thoroughly read the following details and share them with all members of your household.
Standard installations typically take between 4-5 hours from our arrival time.
If “Extra Distance” charges are listed on your quote, please note that the installation may take longer due to the increased distance involved.
For safety reasons, both gas and electricity will be turned off for a period of time during your generator installation. This allows our licensed technicians to safely connect the generator to your home's systems.
For the safety and efficiency of the installation, someone 18 years or older must be home during the entire generator installation. This ensures that we can review any last-minute details with you, address any questions you may have, and provide you with important operational information once the installation is complete. It also allows us to access areas of your home, such as the electric panel, if needed.
During the generator installation, we will need access to the electric panel, whether that is inside your home, garage, or another area.
If your quote indicates that electric will be run through the attic, we will also need access to the attic for the entire duration of the installation.
Additionally, once the gas is turned back on, we will need to access any gas-powered appliances such as the water heater, gas fireplace, or other similar units to relight the pilot lights.
At Houston Equipment Repair, we make the process easy by handling your generator registration for you. Once your installation is complete, we will ensure that your generator is registered with Generac.
After the generator is installed, our team will run the generator for a couple of minutes to ensure that all electric and gas connections are secure and functioning properly. We will also:
- Go over the basic functions of the generator to ensure you understand how to operate it.
- Set up the Wi-Fi monitoring so you can track your generator’s performance in real-time.
- Answer any technical questions you may have about your generator’s operation.
If you purchased the Smart Start Service, we will leave the generator running with the full load of your home and show you how to manually turn off the generator once the 25-hour period is complete.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES
Houston Equipment Repair, LLC
11050 Mahaffey Road #110, Tomball, TX 77375
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